If you know that one of your wrestlers who qualified will not be able to compete, you must contact Tyler Brooks (cell: 740-350-2827) ASAP so the Alternate can be notified. Please be considerate of all wrestlers. The wrestler who originally qualified will still receive a program & tickets for the Tournament.

3. Practice Site

The Schottenstein Center is unavailable on Wednesday for either practice or checking weight.

4. Directions

The tournament is held at the Schottenstein Center, 505 Borror Drive, Columbus, OH 43210. Park in the Gray Lots & go to the SW Rotunda. Doors open Thursday at 10AM.

5. Packet Pickup

Packets, which contain tickets, parking passes, programs, & tournament information, can be picked up in the Aux Gymnasium, located on the west side of The Schottenstein Center, beginning at 10AM, Thursday. During the packet pickup, coaches’ terrace level, all-session tickets will be available for purchase in the SW Rotunda.

Coaches will receive programs as follows: 1 qualifier (1 program); 2-4 qualifiers (2 programs); 5 or more qualifiers (3 programs). Each qualifier will receive a program. Note: Completed brackets are available for $2.00 per division per session.

9. Tournament Physicians Decisions

The tournament physicians’ decisions relative to the medical status of any wrestler are final.

10. Unofficial & Official Male & Female Weigh in

Scales are unavailable Wednesday. Scales will open Thursday at 10AM. in the Aux Gym. The wrestler can weigh in unofficially from 10AM to 11:05AM on the same scale which he/she will weigh in officially beginning at his/her appointed time (see attached weigh in sheet). All wrestlers must weigh in Thursday from 11:15AM to 12:15PM. Weigh in shall be scratch weight plus 3 pounds for the Thursday Weigh In. Note: Special accommodations have been made in Star Room D for female wrestlers. Please contact the Tournament Manager.

11. Alternates (During the Thursday Weigh in)

A white board located next to the weigh in area will maintain the status of who has weighed in. When the tournament staff is notified that an alternate will replace a qualifier, an announcement will be made. The OHSAA Policy regarding where alternates are placed in the bracket is located in the OHSAA Program.

12. Coaches Meeting

Coaches info meeting is Thursday, 11AM, on the Arena Floor.

13. Reporting for Matches

Check the Program Brackets for match numbers. A Match Board is used. Credentials are not issued for either Coaches or Wrestlers. Simply follow the signs & report to the Bullpen when your Match Number appears on the Match Board.

NOTE: A red number indicates either a medical default or forfeit; a green number indicates a state champion while a blue number indicates a wrestler has won three state titles.

14. Professionalism of Coaches

It is the moral obligation of all Ohio Wrestling Coaches to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects credit upon their high school, their profession & themselves. Personal grooming & appropriate dress is a standard of professionalism. The wearing of jeans, t-shirts, sweat suits & warm-up suits (top or bottom), head wear & similar apparel are not considered suitable attire for coaches during the OHSAA Sectional, District, & State Wrestling Tournaments &, therefore, are prohibited. Coaches who are inappropriately dressed will not be allowed on the competition floor beginning Session 1. Moral behavior & ethical conduct are part of winning & losing. Good sportsmanship, appearance, honor, & concern for the well-being of the competitors must be every coach’s priority. The Rules have been established in the spirit of this statement.

15. Locker Rooms & Showers

Lockers will not be available for contestants. Showers will be available in rooms located behind Press Row. A room located in the Aux Gym will be available to “check” medical kits, equipment bags, clothing, etc. (similar to a coat check).

16. Warm up Room & Checking Weight

The Aux Gym is available for warming up. It also has a TV so Coaches can check the Match Board. The mat area behind the bicycle racks is for “active” wrestling & warming up only. The weigh in area will have 2 scales so wrestlers can check their weight.

17. Male & Female Weigh out

D I, II, & III Championship Semifinalists & Consolation Semifinalists may begin weighing out Friday at 5:15PM. The SW Rotunda Doors open at 5:10PM for Wrestlers & Coaches only. All wrestlers who qualify for Saturday must report for the weigh out during Session #3. The Weigh out will conclude 30 minutes after the last match is finished during Session 3. If any wrestler does not make weight during the Session 3 weigh out period, there will be a final weigh out period Saturday (9AM to 9:30AM). The SW Rotunda Doors open Saturday at 8:30AM for wrestles & coaches only. The Weigh out shall be scratch weight plus 4 pounds for the Friday Evening & Saturday Morning weigh out.

18. Awards

Awards will be presented during the FINALS. Wrestlers are required to appear in their high school singlet or warm-ups ONLY in order to receive their awards. Third- through eighth-place finishers should enter the floor through the bullpen immediately after their weight class has wrestled.

Additional Coach FAQs

Q.

What hotels might I call for overnight accommodations?

A.

A list of hotels around the campus of The Ohio State University, along with some other areas of Columbus, is available on the Fan Guide OHSAA web page.

Q.

Am I permitted to videotape or take photos of my wrestler?

A.

Yes, cameras will be permitted in the bullpen and matside. No other personnel—both school-related and fans/family—will be permitted in these areas. Fans may videotape or shoot photos from their assigned seat (no flash photography).

Q.

How will someone not attending the tournaments be able to obtain results of the matches?

A.

As soon as possible after each session has concluded, results for each session will be posted on the OHSAA web site.

Q.

Are my wrestler(s) expected to participate in media interviews following a match?

A.

Yes, it is strongly encouraged. A "runner" will hand you a Media Interview Request slip, which indicates the media wishes to interview you or your wrestler immediately following the match. The Interview Room is located in the northeast corner of the arena. Please be prompt for your interview. If you choose not to participate, please have the courtesy to inform the "runner" of your intentions.

Q.

How does my local media outlet receive credentials for the tournament?

A.

Legitimate media representatives should obtain a credential request form from the OHSAA web site (www.ohsaa.org) Fax the request form to: Tim Stried, Director of Communications, OHSAA, at 614-267-1677. Credentials will be held at the Media Pass Gate. Deadline is Tuesday, March 7. Media members will be required to show employee identification cards upon entry to the tournaments. Those media outlets that do not issue I.D. cards must write in advance and identify the person who will be assigned to cover the tournaments for their outlet. Upon entry, that person will then be required to show some form of photo I.D. before a credential is issued. Those persons, including coaches, who are not performing a legitimate duty for a media outlet will not be admitted.

Q.

Can anyone else affiliated with our team obtain credentials to videotape or take photos of our participant(s)?

A.

No. Due to space limitations, they must shoot photos (no flash photography) or videotape from their seats.

Q.

How will my wrestler(s) and I be reimbursed for expenses?

A.

The participating schools do not complete or submit any forms to the OHSAA. Expenses for participants and coaches are determined according to the county in which your school is located rather than on a mileage basis. The expenses of a coach will be paid on the same basis as a wrestler. The number of coaches to be reimbursed is as follows: one wrestler - one coach; two-to-four wrestlers - two coaches; five or more wrestlers - three coaches. This expense allowance does not apply to managers, trainers, etc. See the OHSAA Wrestling Tournament regulations here.

The school will not be reimbursed from the OHSAA until late July or early August. The OHSAA annually sends one travel allowance reimbursement check to each participating school for all regional and/or state tournaments in individual sports.